HRTC buses back on 2,200 routes today

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, May 31

The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) will resume bus services with 60 per cent sitting capacity from 7 am to 7 pm from tomorrow within the state with the Covid standard-operating procedures (SOPs).

Principal Secretary, Transport, JC Sharma has issued a notification, spelling out SOPs for the operation of bus services.

Managing director, HRTC, Yunus Khan said the bus service would start on 2,200 routes. No passenger will board and de-board the bus if it passes through the containment zone. If a passenger, driver or conductor have flu-like symptoms, they will not be allowed to travel, the guidelines said.

Though Gobind Thakur, Transport Minister, said the government had urged private operators to resume bus services from June 1, they were divided over running buses with only 60 per cent capacity.

“We have waived state road tax and postponed payment of fee and other taxes till July and we will consider their other demands in due course of time”, the minister added.

SOPs stated that department would provide sanitisers, face masks and face shields to the conductor and driver, who will have a separate cabin. They will get hand sanitisers in buses for passengers.